Libidibia coriaria

Libidibia coriaria, synonym Caesalpinia coriaria, is a leguminous tree or large shrub native to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and northern and western South America.[2] Common names include divi-divi, cascalote, guaracabuya, guatapana, nacascol,[3] tan yong,[4] and watapana (Aruba).

"Divi-divi" redirects here. For the Netherlands Antilles-based airline, see Divi Divi Air.

Divi-divi
Divi-divi on Aruba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Genus: Libidibia
Species:
L. coriaria
Binomial name
Libidibia coriaria
(Jacq.) Schltdl.[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Caesalpinia coriacea Poit.
  • Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd.
  • Caesalpinia thomaea Spreng.
  • Poinciana coriaria Jacq.

Description
With developed canopy
Leaves and pod
Plants

L. coriaria rarely reaches its maximum height of 9 m (30 ft) because its growth is contorted by the trade winds that batter the exposed coastal sites where it often grows. In other environments it grows into a low dome shape with a clear sub canopy space. Leaves are bipinnate, with 5–10 pairs of pinnae, each pinna with 15–25 pairs of leaflets; the individual leaflets are 7 mm long and 2 mm broad. The fruit is a twisted pod 5 cm (2.0 in) long.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin in 1763, as Poinciana coriaria. In 1799, Carl Ludwig Willdenow transferred it to the genus Caesalpinia, and in 1830, Diederich von Schlechtendal transferred it to his newly created genus Libidibia.[5] The genus Libidibia was not always accepted and the species was usually placed in Caesalpinia, until molecular phylogenetic studies led to the reinstatement of Libidibia.[6]

Chemistry

Tannins are extracted from divi-divi pods for use in leather production.[7][8]

Among the molecules isolated is corilagin, whose name comes from the specific epithet of the plant.

In culture

Divi-divi is the national tree of Curaçao.[9] It is also very common and popular on Aruba.

Uses

According to the FAO's Ecocrop database, the pods provide tannin and a black dye used in the tanning industry and for ink. The pods also have medicinal properties. The hard, dark colored wood is used for carpentry. The tree can be planted for shade. Yields of pods may be 45–135 kg per tree per year.[4]

See also

References
  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Libidibia coriaria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T144303930A149041080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T144303930A149041080.en. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  2. "Libidibia coriaria (Jacq.) Schltdl." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  3. " Libidibia coriaria (Jacq.) Schltdl." Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  4. "Caesalpinia coriaria". Ecocrop. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17.
  5. "Poinciana coriaria Jacq." The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  6. "Libidibia Schltdl." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. "Vegetable tannins". Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books. Conservation OnLine. 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  8. Perez-Tello, Carlos (1995). "Recovery of Vegetable Tannins from Divi-divi Pods". Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 64 (1): 101–104. doi:10.1002/jctb.280640116.
  9. Sullivan, Lynne M. (2006). Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao. Hunter Publishing Inc. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-58843-572-9.
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